circumvolution

[ sur-kuh m-vuh-loo-shuh n ]
/ ˌsɜr kəm vəˈlu ʃən /

noun

the act of rolling or turning around: planetary circumvolution.
a single complete turn or cycle.
a winding or folding about something: the circumvolutions of a boa.
a fold so wound: the circumvolution of a snail shell.
a winding in a sinuous course; a sinuosity: the circumvolutions of the river.
a roundabout course or procedure, or an instance of such: The speaker's circumvolutions bored the audience to tears.

Origin of circumvolution

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin circumvolūtiōn- (stem of circumvolūtiō), equivalent to Latin circumvolūt(us) (past participle of circumvolvere to circumvolve) ( circum- circum- + volū- past participle stem of volvere to roll + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM circumvolution

cir·cum·vo·lu·to·ry [suhr-kuh m-vuh-loo-tuh-ree] /ˌsʌr kəm vəˈlu tə ri/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for circumvolution

  • No doubt was possible: the two lobes, the circumvolution of the brain to the minute red lines of the blood-vessels, all was there.

British Dictionary definitions for circumvolution

circumvolution
/ (ˌsɜːkəmvəˈluːʃən) /

noun

the act of turning, winding, or folding around a central axis
a single complete turn, cycle, or fold
anything winding or sinuous
a roundabout course or procedure

Derived forms of circumvolution

circumvolutory, adjective

Word Origin for circumvolution

C15: from Medieval Latin circumvolūtiō, from Latin circumvolvere, from circum- + volvere to roll